Interchangeable mouth shield

Abstract

The interchangeable mouth shields disclosed herein include a lip-anterior portion and teeth tray that can be releasably coupled together. The lip-anterior portion includes a panel positioned anterior to a lip shield. The panel can be customized to be different shapes and have decorative features. The interchangeable mouth shield includes a vent enabling a user to breathing through the interchangeable mouth shield during use. The teeth tray can be selectively flavored.

The following is claimed: 
     
       1. An interchangeable mouth shield for physical activities, the interchangeable mouth shield comprising:
 an anterior portion comprising:
 a panel having a posterior side, an anterior side, and an outer periphery, the anterior side defining an anterior-most surface of the interchangeable mouth shield; 
 a lip shield comprising an outer periphery, the lip shield posteriorly positioned relative to the posterior side of the panel such that the outer periphery of the panel and the outer periphery of the lip shield are spaced apart from each other by an interrupted gap, the lip shield configured to be disposed outside of and around a mouth of a user to protect lips of the user, wherein the lip shield extends beyond the outer periphery of the panel when viewed from an anterior perspective, and wherein an entirety of the panel is disposed more anterior than an entirety of the lip shield; 
 a connector portion extending from the posterior side of the panel to an anterior surface of the lip shield; 
 and a bridge that posteriorly extends away from the lip shield to a free end, the free end comprising a posterior-facing contact surface and openings on each side of an engagement arm; 
 
 a teeth tray comprising:
 an outer wall, an inner wall, an anterior-facing receiving surface, an aperture in the anterior-facing receiving surface, and a channel, wherein the outer wall is offset from the inner wall such that the channel for receiving teeth of the user extends between the outer wall and the inner wall; 
 
 wherein the anterior portion and the teeth tray are configured to be releasably coupled together such that the outer wall of the teeth tray is posterior to the lip shield with the posterior-facing contact surface of the free end of the bridge contacting the anterior-facing receiving surface of the teeth tray positioned around the aperture such that the openings of the bridge are aligned with the aperture of the teeth tray when the engagement arm extends through the aperture to enable the user to breathe through the interchangeable mouth shield. 
 
     
     
       2. The interchangeable mouth shield of  claim 1 , wherein the lip shield curves posteriorly such that it is configured to contact portions of the user surrounding the mouth of the user. 
     
     
       3. The interchangeable mouth shield of  claim 1 , wherein the outer periphery of the panel is polygonal shaped. 
     
     
       4. The interchangeable mouth shield of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement arm is connected to and extends posteriorly from a posterior surface of the anterior portion, the engagement arm configured to facilitate the releasable coupling of the anterior portion and the teeth tray. 
     
     
       5. An interchangeable mouth shield for physical activities, the interchangeable mouth shield comprising:
 an anterior portion comprising:
 a panel having a posterior side, an anterior side, and an outer periphery; 
 a lip shield comprising an outer periphery, the lip shield posteriorly positioned relative to the posterior side of the panel such that the outer periphery of the panel and the outer periphery of the lip shield are spaced apart from each other by an interrupted gap, the lip shield configured to be disposed outside of and around a mouth of a user to protect lips of the user; and 
 a bridge that posteriorly extends away from the lip shield to a free end, the free end comprising a posterior-facing contact surface and openings on each side of an engagement arm; 
 
 a teeth tray comprising:
 an outer wall, an inner wall, an aperture, and a channel, wherein the outer wall is offset from the inner wall such that the channel for receiving teeth of the user extends between the outer wall and the inner wall; 
 
 wherein the anterior portion and the teeth tray are configured to be releasably coupled together such that the outer wall of the teeth tray is posterior to the lip shield with the posterior-f acing contact surface of the free end of the bridge contacting an anterior-facing surface of the teeth tray to space the lip shield away from the teeth tray, wherein the openings of the bridge are aligned with the aperture of the teeth tray when the engagement arm extends through the aperture to enable the user to breathe through the interchangeable mouth shield. 
 
     
     
       6. The interchangeable mouth shield of  claim 5 , wherein the lip shield extends beyond the outer periphery of the panel when viewed from an anterior perspective. 
     
     
       7. The interchangeable mouth shield of  claim 5 , wherein the outer periphery of the lip shield extends beyond lateral edges of the panel when viewed from an anterior perspective. 
     
     
       8. The interchangeable mouth shield of  claim 5 , wherein the anterior side defines an anterior-most surface of the interchangeable mouth shield. 
     
     
       9. The interchangeable mouth shield of  claim 5 , wherein the lip shield curves posteriorly such that it is configured to contact portions of the user surrounding the mouth of the user. 
     
     
       10. The interchangeable mouth shield of  claim 5 , wherein the outer periphery of the panel is polygonal shaped. 
     
     
       11. The interchangeable mouth shield of  claim 5 , wherein the anterior portion comprises a connector portion between the posterior side of the panel and the lip shield, the connector portion offsetting the posterior side of the panel from the lip shield. 
     
     
       12. The interchangeable mouth shield of  claim 5 , wherein the engagement arm is connected to and extends posteriorly from a posterior surface of the anterior portion, the engagement arm configured to facilitate the releasable coupling of the anterior portion and the teeth tray.